Jets coach Rex Ryan still sounded exasperated Friday afternoon as he talked about the 13-10 loss to the Patriots the night before.

The Jets did so many things right. The Patriots had more punts (11) than first downs (nine) in the game. Pats quarterback Tom Brady had one of his worst games in years. The Patriots receivers could not catch a cold.

But the Jets still found a way to lose.

“Obviously there is some frustration in the fact that we didn’t pull it out,” Ryan said in a conference call. “We had some opportunities there clearly.”

If the Jets do find a way to make a charge at the playoffs this season — an idea that does not sound as crazy as it did a week ago — this loss could haunt them for several reasons.

As bad as the Patriots’ wide receivers were, the Jets’ group was every bit as awful. There were six total drops — including three from Clyde Gates, who dropped two possible touchdowns. And don’t forget Stephen Hill’s early fumble.

Rookie quarterback Geno Smith played three quarters of poised football before unraveling in the fourth quarter, throwing three interceptions.

The Jets ran for 129 yards, but offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg went away from the run — and Chris Ivory in particular — in some strange spots, putting the pressure on Smith to make the play.

“You turn it over four times against New England, I just don’t think you have a chance,” Ryan said. “Obviously, that’s an area we have to improve.”

Ryan said he was pleased with Smith’s performance, despite the three picks.

“Through it, he was still poised,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t like he was rattled. I think he was confident and things. He threw some jump balls up there at the end when you’re trying to force some issues. Again, you’re trying to make some plays.

“I would have liked to see him just take off with it when we were in field-goal range. Just go ahead and run with it instead of trying to force that one ball. Other than that, I think the young man, for the most part, delivered some nice passes. We just have to catch them. We had way too many drops.”

Dropped passes plagued the Jets all offseason and now it is a problem in the regular season. Going back to Organized Team Activities in the spring, the Jets receivers have had the dropsies. Ryan said he had not yet spoken with Mornhinweg or wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal about making any changes in practice to address the problem.

“We know we have to catch the ball better, there’s no question about that,” Ryan said. “Some of it is the old fundamentals of just looking it in. I’d rather have you catch the ball for 10 yards then have you run for yards after the catch. Let’s secure the ball first. … I’m confident we’ll get it fixed. We have to get it fixed.”

One area Ryan has to be thrilled with is his defense. The Jets forced six three-and-outs from Brady and Co. and allowed no drives longer than six plays. The Jets led in time of possession, 34:00-26:00.

Ryan promised a top-five defense, and through two games, it looks as if he may deliver.

“Is anybody surprised that we played great defense?” Ryan said. “That doesn’t surprise anybody. It doesn’t surprise Jets fans. It doesn’t surprise our football team. We’ve got a lot of good football players.